Removal of a herniated spine: indications, rehabilitation, consequences, reviews

Quite often there are people complaining of back pain. It is said that the pain arises from uneven physical exertion, a heavy day or fatigue. But is it always so? Unfortunately, cases where such pains are a result of a hernia of the spine are not uncommon. When the removal of the hernia of the spine is shown, let us examine this article.

Symptoms

The hernia of the spine is extremely dangerous, as a result of it a person experiences constant, unceasing pains, and harms his internal organs. An incorrectly diagnosed diagnosis can exacerbate this situation, so accurate diagnosis is extremely important.

What is the hernia of the lumbar spine, the symptoms and treatment of this pathology, we consider below. From other diseases with similar symptoms, it can be determined by the following signs:

• There are strong, pronounced painful sensations that do not go away, despite medication;
• The patient can not keep feces and urine;
• There may be paralysis of the lower limbs;
• A decrease in the level of sensitivity in them;
• After a course of treatment equal to three months, the patient's condition does not improve.

If there is any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. You may need urgent removal of the hernia of the spine. And you should pay great attention to the qualification of a specialist. It is not uncommon for a doctor to put the wrong diagnosis because of inattention, unpreparedness, unprofessionalism. And the most common mistaken diagnosis is radiculitis. A mistake in the absence of treatment can lead to paralysis of a person.

Here's how the hernia of the lumbar spine is dangerous. Symptoms and treatment of it, of course, are interrelated.

Methods of treatment

Well, the diagnosis is made. What next? What are the ways to treat a spinal hernia? Which of them are most effective? Methods of treatment are actually quite a lot. It can be:

• physiotherapy;
• Drug treatment;
• Receptions of manual therapy;
• massage;
• Wearing a special corset for the back;
• diet;
• Folk methods;
• Removal of the hernia of the spine.

The application of each of them is due to the individual characteristics of each patient and his general condition. But the best treatment is based on all the methods that are not contra-indicated, that is, complex. And it is possible that by this removal of the hernia of the spine is not required.

Indications for surgery to remove a hernia

Indications that an operation to remove a hernia of the spine can be performed can be relative and absolute. In the first case, it becomes mandatory. Moreover, the operation should be carried out as soon as possible.

And relative indications mean that the treatment done before did not affect the shift towards recovery, and the operation is still necessary, but not so urgently. It is appointed if, after two months of treatment, there has been no change for the better.

Surgery to remove the hernia of the spine can be carried out in different ways. We list them.

Discectomy

Discectomy is the most obsolete type of operation. It lies in the fact that on the skin of the back under general anesthesia an incision is made approximately equal to eight centimeters. After that, the affected disk of the spine is completely removed through it or, if possible, only a part of it.

The main drawback of this type of operation is that after it the risk of inflammatory processes is extremely high. To prevent them, the patient must spend at least ten days under observation in a hospital and undergo antibacterial therapy.

Judging by the opinions of specialists, the musculoskeletal functions of the spine after the operation come back to normal much more slowly than with other types of surgical intervention, due to the fact that during it are being sufficiently extensive damage.

However, this operation has not only drawbacks. One can attribute to the merits a small percentage of relapse (3%). This is due to the fact that the affected disk, or part of it is deleted completely.

How much does an operation to remove a hernia of the spine? Judging by the opinions of patients, its price is low, and starts from 20,000 rubles.

Laminectomy

Laminectomy is that the patient is removed part of the arch of the vertebra, to which the nerve end is pressed with a hernia. As a result, according to specialists, rehabilitation of the patient is quite fast - within 3 days. In addition, due to the fact that the nerve is released, the patient almost immediately ceases to feel pain.

But there are also risks. For example, the risk of infection is quite high. And, which is somewhat more dangerous, there is the possibility of nerve damage during surgical intervention.

Endoscopy

Endoscopic removal of the hernia of the spine is carried out using an endoscope and instruments of extremely small size. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the cut to a minimum. It is equal to 5 mm. This type of operation is rather well-known and popular due to a number of its advantages. First of all, this duration is not more than an hour. As a result, the muscles of the body are not harmed. They are pushed apart with a special expander. Based on the patient's feedback, the patient can go home the next day. Restoration of the spine itself takes about three weeks.

But one should also take into account the fact that this operation is not universal. It is not suitable for some types of hernia of the spine, and after it the risk of recurrence is rather high (10%). And such an operation, unfortunately, is not cheap - its price in clinics reaches 130 000 rubles.

Microdiscectomy

Microdiscectomy is an operation based on neurosurgery. It is performed using the latest tools and a powerful microscope. A 3-4 cm incision is made on the back of the patient. It should be made in the area of the nerve, which is compressed by a hernia. The hernia of the disc is removed, as a result of which the nerve is released. Now this operation, according to experts, is one of the most frequently used.

As a result, the pain syndrome almost immediately disappears. The patient may leave the medical facility the next day. Return to work (while, of course, not active), he will be able to in a month. You can start active one and a half to two months later.

Such an operation, as a rule, is recommended for those with a few hernias. Since with the help of it you can delete them during one intervention.

Unfortunately, the level of recurrence reaches 10-15%. And the operation is quite expensive.

Laser removal

Removal of a herniated spine by laser - laser discoplasty - is that with the help of a beam of low power the disk heats up to a certain temperature, which contributes to its recovery. It is not recommended to use such an operation without first consulting a doctor, without having to take an analysis. Moreover, the laser operation is not universal. It, according to experts, is not suitable for all types of hernias.

After this operation complications are probable, therefore the patient needs to undergo antibacterial therapy.

Possible complications

What complications can occur after an operation on the spine? They are divided into intraoperative and postoperative. The first arise during the most operative intervention:

• In this case, the nerve can be damaged. Since it is located next to the hernia, it is quite easy to damage it, especially if a discectomy is performed. In this case, after the operation, there may be some problems with sensitivity in the legs, muscle weakness appears.
• The dura mater may be damaged. If the surgeon has noticed the damage during the operation, he will heal the rupture. Otherwise, after the operation, the patient will have a severe headache, as the cerebrospinal fluid will flow out of the spinal canal, which will cause changes in intracranial pressure. The hard shell will heal independently, but this will take some time (about 2 weeks).

Postoperative complications can also occur. They are divided into 2 types:

1. Early. They are manifested by purulent-septic complications (epiduritis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, sepsis) and thromboembolic complications (pulmonary embolism, thrombosis of the veins of the lower extremities).
2. Late postoperative complications are manifested by recurrent intervertebral hernia. Unfortunately, this type of complication occurs quite often, on average up to 30%. Also, scars and adhesions are possible, which pinch the nerve, which leads to painful sensations.

If all the rules of rehabilitation are observed, it is possible to avoid late postoperative complications.

Rehabilitation after removal of a hernia of the spine

After some time has passed after surgical intervention and the stitches are removed, the patient's treatment will still not be completed. A new stage of action will begin, quite large, and it will depend on it to some extent the results of the operation:

• The patient should be regularly engaged in physical therapy, observe the regime of the day, wear a special corset for the back. However, you can not exercise physically immediately after surgery. At first, it is necessary to get up with caution, avoiding unnecessary, sharp movements.
• For a month it is not recommended to sit so that the hernia does not form again, and there is no compression of the vertebral discs. Long walk and stand, too, is not the first time. Every hour or two you need to rest your back, lie for 15 minutes.
• Do not lift weights.
• And the recovery measures apply to the bed. We need a special, rigid orthopedic mattress.
• In the shower you can go only three days after the operation, the bathroom is not recommended to take in the first month after the removal of stitches.
• Do not ignore routine examinations with a doctor.

It must be remembered that a relapse does not occur immediately after the operation. It can appear even after a long time after it.

How correctly to do gymnastics?

Very important is the gymnastics after removal of the hernia of the spine. It consists of the following exercises:

1. Slow rises of knees bent at the knees in the supine position on the back.
2. Raising the pelvis on the knees bent at the knees, lying on the back.
3. Legs are bent in position on the back. Slowly turn the legs in one direction and in the other direction. You have to try to get your knees to the floor.
4. Standing on his knees, leaning on his hands, slowly pull one straight leg back, hold for 30 seconds and change his leg.
5. Lying on the stomach, alternately raise and hold your legs.

Reviews and consequences of surgery to remove a hernia

According to numerous reviews of patients, the described operations tend to go well. Complications are rare. The recovery period takes about six months, after which you can again fully live and work.

According to experts, if all precautions are taken and all the doctor's recommendations are followed, then the consequences of removal of the hernia of the spine will be minimal. Of course, a lot depends on the quality of the operation performed, as there is a chance of a relapse. But most often everything ends well.